Kennesaw State University updates recreation center on its campus in Marietta, Georgia

Kennesaw State University has reopened its recreation center on the Marietta, Georgia, campus after a $7.4 million renovation.

The university says the 10-month project included installing a new heating-cooling and ventilation system and some electrical upgrades. 

The Marietta rec center has been around for more than 20 years, but it shut its doors in October 2022 for a refresh.

“When we have beautiful places to go, it elevates the experience for all of us,” said Kennesaw State President Kathy Schwaig. “I love the color, the excitement, and the feel of this space. When students can connect with each other, it’s powerful. This provides that. This is a beautiful facility and very exciting day to reopen it.”

Executive Director for Sports and Recreation Tara Parker said students’ top wish was more space for weights and conditioning, as well as more group fitness classes and some outdoor adventure activities.

The upgrades have brought in new fitness equipment, treadmills, ellipticals, free weights, weight machines, plus updating the area known as the Strength Arcade so that students can do more Olympic-style lifting.

A new turf-covered area where students can pull a sled or flip tires is unique to the Marietta rec center compared with the Kennesaw Campus rec center.

During the renovation, the Health Clinic was relocated, and the space it formerly held in the rec center is now a lounging area for students.

The Marietta rec center is open, but renovation isn’t complete. The university plans to add a climbing gym, replace the basketball floor surface, update the goals in the two-court gym, and add a pickleball court, badminton lines, and a walking track around the courts.